The Other Show

Henry VIII's six wives—Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr—hold a singing competition to see who had the worst time with their larger than life ex, ultimately deciding to rewrite their own stories.

For more than 25 years, Essential Theatre has been bringing new work by Georgia playwrights to the stage, and the 2026 Essential Theatre Festival will continue this long tradition. Opening the Festival on August 7 will be Helen of the West by Susan Swavely, winner of the 2026 Essential Theatre Playwriting Award.